Fish lure



Feb. 17, 1948. R A SHE-[KA 2,435,232

FISH LURE Filed Deo. l', 1945 Patented Feb. 17, 1948 FISH LURE Robert A.shetka, ward, st. Paul, Minn., by Adolph Shetka, guardian, St. Paul,

Application December 1, 1945, Serial No. 632,160

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to 'fish lures and particularly to a plug typelure carrying hooks which are normally retracted within-the body of thedevice where they are substantially invisible and guarded againstcatching on weeds or other obstructions and having mechanism whichcauses the hooks to project instantaneously when the body is retardedrelative tothe line as when struck by a sh;

It is an object of the invention to provide in a lure of this classnovel and eicient mechanism for actuating-the-hooks to and fromretracted position.

The invention also includes certain novel features -of constructionwhich render the device strong, durable and easy to assemble.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which illustrates, by way ofexample and not for the purpose of limitation, a preferred form of theinvention:

Figure l is a part top plan view and part hori zontal section throughthe body of the lure;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a Vertical longitudinal section through the device on asomewhat larger scale, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sections taken respectively on the lines 5-5 and6-6 of Fig. 4.

In the drawing the numeral 'I indicates the head of the lure which isattached to an elongated body 8 by means of small screws 9. The head andbody are constructed from wood or other suitable material such as amoldable composition, preferably having specic gravity less than 1.Extending longitudinally and centrally within the body 8 is acylindrical bore I0 in which is mounted a tubular member II connected toa small coiled spring I2. This spring is contained within a recess I3formed in the head 'I and is anchored at its front end by means of asmall pin I4.

A series of hooks I5 are movable within and extensible from radiallyextending slots I6 formed in the body 8. These slots communicate withthe central bore I0 and each of the hooks l5 is pivotally mounted on apin I'I extending in n a cross groove in the exterior surface of thebody,

in the body 8. Integral 'lever arms I8a project from the hooks I5a. intoapertures formed in the member IIa to permit these hooks to be actuated,as in the case of the hooks I5, to and from retracted position relativeto the body 8. The member II is connected to the member IIa by parallelstrips I9 of the material forming these members. f

The mechanism for actuating the hooks I5 and I5a further comprisesk asmall lever 20, pivoted on a pin 2l and provided with an inner endp0rtion 22 engaging thememberV Ila in an aperture formed therein. Thislever 28 is confined within a radially extending slot 23 in the body 8.Connected to the outer end of the lever 20 is a flexible leader 24arranged to extend forward within a guide slot 25 in the body 8 and head'I and through an opening in a plate 26 mounted on the head 1. Theforward end of this leader is adapted to be connected in the usual orsuitable manner to a fish lure.

The spring I2 is preferably designed so that it Will be extended toallow the hooks to project when the body of the lure is retarded underlight gripping pressure. Quick movement of the sharp ends oi the hooksis insured by the arrangement of the relatively short arms I8 and IBaconnecting the several hooks to the actuating members II and Ila.Assembly and repair of the mechanism is facilitated by providing theremovable head 'I allowing access to the bore I8 and members II, IIa andI9 therein. After assembling these parts within the body 8 the severalhook arms I8 and |8a are inserted in the apertures to receive them inthe members II and IIa and then the pivot pins I'I and Ila are insertedand anchored in place asby the use of small screws 21 (Figs. 5 and 6).

When in use, the improved lure is drawn through the water in the usualmanner as in trolling or casting with a line connected to a leader 24.The several hooks I5 and I5a are normally held in their completelyretracted positions within the slots I6 and I6a by the coiled spring I2acting through the members II and I la, strips I8 and arms I8 and I8a ofthe hooks. The members II and IIa are thus retained in their for- Wardpositions shown in full lines in the drawing until the lure is retardedrelative to the leader 24 with sufficient force to extend the spring I2.Since the hooks do not project from the exterior surfaces of the body 8when in these retracted positions they cannot pick up weeds or snagobstructions with which the lure may come in contact. When ailsh strikesor grasps the body of the lure, the retarding eiect on the body relativeto the leader 24 causes the latter to actuate the lever 20 and move themember Ha, strips I9 and member I l to the rear in the bore i9. Thisoscillates all of the hooks instantaneously to positions where theirsharp points project from the sides of the body, as indicated indottedlines in the drawing, or to some"l other extended position where theybecome"'effective to` perform their function of catching the fishstriking the lure.

It has been found that the device operates eii'- ciently in the catchingof sh and that it mini;V

mizes danger of injury to persons handling the lure.

usually attendant upon accidentalcatchingtof` the hooks on snags andweeds when used in sha1- low Water. l s

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired toprotect by Letters Patent 1S; Y 1 t I' 1; In a fish lure, aliollowelongatedL body havingnarrow longitudinally extending slots opening tothe exterior thereof, @ai'hook pivotally mountedinl eachjofsaid'fslotsf-and movable from a retracted position Within thel sametoranextended position relative to the exterior surface lof said-body,anactiiatin'gfmember for said hooks movable longitudinally withitilsaidbody, means operativelyV connecting the severa-Lhooks to said actuating''membei-,l-aspring normally` retaining said actuatingmemberfffin'fafforward position It further guards againsltdulling'ofthey hooks and obviates much ofi'the annoyance" central longitudinallyextending bore and narrow longitudinally extending slots opening to theexp terior thereof and communicating with said bore,

a hook pivotally mounted in each of said slotsand'inivablefromiaiietracted position within the same*'to^'an'I extendedposition relative to said body, a tubularactuating member for said hooksmovablelngitudinally within said bore, arms operatively connecting theseveral hooks to said actuating member, a spring normally retaining saidactuating member ina forward position withinsaidfbody'and the hooks inretracted positions in saidfslots, a lever pivotally supported in aslotf insaid'body and having an inner end portionoperatively .connectedto said actuating member andy aleaderconnected to an outer end portionof 'said lever for actuating said member to *a rear position, lwherebysaid hooks may be caused to project from the body when-ther latter isretarded. Y

- e v ADOLPH SI-IETKA, Guardian of the-Estate of'Robert A. Shetca, Ward.i

